Have you ever looked at a disc golf disc and wondered what the numbers on it mean? You might see a combination like 7 / 5 / -2 / 1.
At first, it looks like a secret code. But those four numbers usually describe the same four flight characteristics: speed, glide, turn and fade. Disc golf flight numbers help you understand how a disc is likely to fly and which players it might suit best.
Once you understand them, choosing your first disc golf disc becomes much easier.
Speed (speed ) ︱1..14
The first number tells you the disc's speed rating. It doesn't mean how fast the disc actually leaves your hand. Instead, it describes how aerodynamic the disc is and how much throwing speed it needs to fly as the manufacturer intended. Higher-speed discs generally have sharper rims and less air resistance.
Many players think a faster disc will automatically fly farther. That's not how it works. If you haven't developed enough arm speed or a clean throwing technique yet, a fast disc won't reach its intended flight path. Instead, it will often fade too early and drop to the ground.
Tip for beginners: choose discs with a speed of up to 7.
Glide (glide ) ︱1..7
The second number describes the disc's glide. The higher the number, the longer the disc tends to stay in the air. More glide can be especially helpful for beginners, adding distance even while you're still developing your throwing speed.
But more glide isn't always better. Wind can have a greater effect on discs with higher glide ratings, so discs with lower glide can be easier to control in windy conditions.
Tip for beginners: try discs with a glide of 5–7.
Turn (turn ) ︱-5..2
The third number describes the disc's turn, or how it tends to move early in its flight. For a right-handed backhand throw, it helps indicate whether the disc is likely to move right at the start. With a right-handed forehand throw, a disc with more turn will initially move left.
Tip for beginners: start with discs that have a negative turn
Fade (fade) ︱0..5
The fourth number describes the disc's fade, or what happens towards the end of its flight as it slows down. For a right-handed backhand throw, more fade means the disc will finish more strongly to the left. With a forehand throw, the direction is reversed.
The higher the fade rating, the stronger the disc's finish.
Tip for beginners: try discs with a fade of about 0–2.
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